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Great-Value Vacations

Three cities whose notable architecture epitomizes their heritage

Under $150 a day

Where

Cuenca, Ecuador

Why

In the colonial Old Town, stone houses practically spill onto the streets, and wooden homes (now cafés and bars) perch precariously on cliffs above the Tomebamba River. These treasures helped win World Heritage Site status for this part of the southern highlands city. Terra-Diversa's tour spans the area between Gran Colombia Avenue and the river, and includes the pink New Cathedral in front of the Parque Calderón (593-7-282-3782; terradiversa.com; three-hour tour, $18).

Room

The antiques-filled Mansión Alcázar is a nineteenth-century residence turned inn with salons, a garden, and a fountain in the covered courtyard (593-7-282-3918; mansionalcazar.com; doubles, $130). The Hotel Crespo is a good value, and many rooms overlook the Tomebamba River (593-7-284-2571; hotel-crespo.com; doubles, $76).

Lunch & Dinner

In a comfy bungalow with a spacious patio, El Maíz serves lunches of traditional Cuencan and fusion cuisine (1-279 Calle Larga; 593-7-284-0224; entrées $4–$6). The expat and artist crowds meet at Café Eucalyptus for tapas and international dishes. Late at night, it's transformed into a live music scene (9-41 Gran Colombia; 593-7-284-9157; entrées, $8–$12).

Tip

Follow the river walk to Banco Central's Museo Pumapungo to view its pre-Columbian collections and colonial reliquaries and paintings. Next door, the Pumapungo Incan archeological site has impressive botanical gardens, and its aviaries showcase birds from all over Ecuador (593-7-283-1255; pumapungo.org; $3).

Under $200 a day

Where

Charleston, South Carolina

Why

Having weathered wards, hurricanes, and an earthquake (in 1886), the Federal and Greek Revival–influenced houses that line Charleston's cobble-stoned streets are stunning examples of preservation. Peek through the gates of the prestigious residences south of Broad Street to see secret gardens dotted with fountains and moss-drapped statues. The Historic Charleston Foundation's spring Festival of Houses and Gardens unlocks dozens of private homes (843-723-1623; historiccharleston.org).

Room

Refreshingly unlike a bland chain hotel, the Holiday Inn Charleston–Historic District has big rooms and savvy concierges, and is close to the City Market (843-805-7900; holidayinn.com; doubles, $170–200). King George IV Inn is in a 1790s Federal House in the Historic District (843-723-9339; kinggeorgeiv.com; doubles, $89–$189).

Watch the sun set over the church spires and centuries-old homes as you sip a Pavilion Punch at the chic rooftop Pavilion Bar, in the Market Pavilion Hotel (843-266-4222). Explore the local Gullah culture and history with a guided tour of landmarks through Gullah Tours (843-763-7551; gullahtours.com).

Under $250 a day

Where

Singapore

Why

The city-state's historic buildings have found new life as cultural centers, cafés, and boutiques. The glass-and-steel galleries of the neo-Palladian National Museum of Singapore host cutting-edge exhibits (65-6332-3659; nationalmuseum.sg; admission, $7). Built in the 1860s as government offices, the Asian Civilisations Museum has an interactive gallery tracing the island's origins (65-6332-7798; acm.org.sg). The St. James Power Station is known for its buzzy bars (3 Sentosa Gateway; 65-6270-7676).

Room

The art-filled 30-room New Majestic Hotel was created from four 1928 Chinese shophouses (65-6222-3377; newmajestichotel.com; doubles, $200–$382). On a grander scale, the neoclassical river-front Fullerton Hotel was built in 1928 as the General Post Office (65-6733-8388; fullertonhotel.com; doubles, $337–$464).

Lunch & Dinner

Ya Kun Kaya Toast's grilled bread with coconut-and-egg spread ($3) has been popular since 1944 (18 China St.; 65-6438-3638). Crowds gather nightly at Boat Quay. a strand of bars and eateries and one of the city's first heritage redevelopment projects. Try the spicy Indonesian fare at House of Sundanese Food (55 Boat Quay; 65-6534-3775; prix fixe, $8–$11).

Tip

No one knows more about the ghosts that lurk in the Lion City than the entertaining docents of Singapore Walks. The "Time of Empire" route (Mondays only) pays particular attention to the architecture of the British era (24A Sago St.; 65-6325-1631; singaporewalks.com, $17–$31).